Kansas City MO vs Spokane WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Spokane
229,228
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 229,228 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.2 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 6.1% | Kansas City + |
| White | 57.8% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 25.8% | 2.7% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.9% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 7.8% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Spokane
$65,745
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Spokane
$38,200
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $65,745 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $38,200 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 32.6% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $400,636 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Kansas City +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 3409 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.6% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.5% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Spokane +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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